Bali Blooms

Hi all,

I have been eyeing of mojo monday sketches for AGESSSSSSSS but never get time. I set myself the challenge this week of actually participating in one. I had lots of fun that I will be doing it again and hopefully soon! Here is this weeks sketch...

I decided to use alot of the new stuff from the summer mini to show you just how nice some of the stuff in the catalogue looks. I absolutly LOVE the bali breeze DSP and Flower Fusion! Here's what I came up with using them...

Stamp Sets: Eastern Blooms, Occasional Greetings

Ink: Temping Turquoise, Rose Red and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers

Cardstock: Naturals Ivory, Old Olive, Bali Breeze DSP

Accessories: Scalloped Square Punch, 1 1/2" Square Punch, Rich Regal Brads, Flower Fusion Felt Flowers, Mat Pack, Tempting Turquoise ribbon

Thanks for looking!

Dani

Inspiring Punched Flowers

Hi all,

Firstly I want to update you on my whereabouts the last week or so. Last Wednesday I went to the antenatal clinic for an appt with the kidney specialist he took one look at the way I was hobbling in pain and decided to admit to the hospital for montoring and further investigation. Unfortunatly there search came up fruitless so I ended up being discharged on Friday evening with the same advice as my last hospital visit - possibly kidney stones rest, lots of fluids and pain relief!

Prior to my discharge I had a niggling headache but dismissed it. I went home it got worse and worse. At 9pm it hit me so bad I couldn't stand up and had extremly blurred vision. I treated it like a migraine but it didn't go away. My partner rushed me back to the hospital Saturday morning at 5:30am in fear it was a new symptom, baby was in distress or I had a reaction to a medication they gave me (At this stage I was vomitting and couldn't hold medication down). After being checked and treated at Emergency they advised me that it was just a very bad migraine and told me to rest. Baby is all fine and doing normal for it's age.

My life has been such a whirlwind and this pregnancy hasn't been enjoyable. I pray that this is the end of all my dillema's and I start to get better. One good thing is I felt baby move and kick for the first time this evening. It was just a magical moment. And just in case anyone asks I am currently 18 weeks. Thanks again for all your continued support I appreciate all your prayers and thoughts!

Ok enough of my ramblings, Lets get onto some craft! Today i finally felt up to some craft. I saw Makeesha's current weekly challenge and remembered an idea that would fit perfectly and that I've been meaning to try for a while but haven't found the time. Here's the inspiration...

The flowers and colours are so pretty I was so excited to give them a whirl. The idea I've had is taken from my paper quilling days and adapting a technique I learnt and using my scalloped circle punch to make some cool 3D flowers. I don't know if I am 100% satisfied with the outcome as it is very different to anything I usually do but I think it was a fun card to make and really took me out of my comfort zone and got the "creative mojo" happening as Keesh would say.

I tried my best to get a photo of how the flowers are sitting so you can see more of the work put into them and how 3d they are. I hope you can get the idea.

Stamp Set: Occasional Greetings

Ink: Blue Bayou

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Ruby Red, Sage Shadow, Blue Bayou, DSP

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Pretties Kit (Rhinestones and cream half back pearls), Scallop Edge Punch, Mat Pack, Tombow Adhesive

I decided that this card can be for a wedding my partner is going to next weekend and he was happy with that as he really likes the card. He thought it was very innovative. If you like the flowers too and would like to make them yourself please let me know and I will post my first ever tutorial in how to make them.

Happy Australia Day and a big Happy Birthday to my dad who reckons Australia is generous to give him a day off on his brithday!

Thanks for looking,

Dani (+1)

Kristina Challenge

Wow it has been a while since I've done one of these and got it in on time! I saw these colours and thought they were stunning so got working straight away but only just finished it today. I'm happy with the outcome too... Here's the inspiration colours



And here's what I did with the colours... I'm used the 'Always' stamp set that was in the spring mini. I am parying it will be in the main catalogue next year because it is such a fun set to use.



Stamp Set: Always
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie and Ruby Red Markers
Cardstock: Whisper White, Ruby Red, Spring Fling DSP, Bali Breeze DSP
Accessories: Mat Pack, Dimensionals, Pretties Kit, Fusion Flowers, Soft Subtle Brads, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Punch

Thanks for looking!
Dani

Keesh Challenge

Hi Kids,

It feels like forever since I have participated in a Makeesha Challenge and it was just so nice to actually be able to sit down and create something (and within the deadline too :) ). So the first challenge for the year was a sketch challenge. Here's the sketch we had to use...

When I first saw the sketch I knew instantly what I wanted to do with it. A friend gave birth to a beautiful (not to mention big - 10 pound 6 OUCH! Not looking forward to that side of being pregnant) baby boy recently so I decided I'd use the skecth to make this adorable card to say congrats using the Christmas present I bought myself - Bundle of Joy stamp set.

I'm not overly impressed with my photographing skills today but love how the card turned out.

Stamp Set: Bundle of Joy

Cardstock: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Watercolour Paper and Certainly Celery Prints DSP

Ink: Black Stazon, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky

Accessories: Dimensionals, Certainly Celery Ribbon, Certainly Celery Brads, 1 3/8" and 1 1/2" circle punches

I had so much fun with the layout that I wanted to make another card using it. So today I sat down and made the following card using some colours I don't always grab for. Again my photographing skills suck today but here's the other card I made.

Stamp Sets: Canvas BG, Everday Flexible Phrases, Bud Basics

Cardstock: Mellow Moss, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla

Ink: Mellow Moss, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Dimensionals, Hemp Twine, Mellow Moss Grosgrain ribbon, Double Rectangle Punch, I 3/8" and 1 1/2" circle punches

I hope you liked looking at the cards as much as I enjoyed making them. It was a nice break from laying on the lounge. I'm so over being unwell!

Happy Stampin'

Dani

Unfroggettable Valentines

As I stated below, I participated in Inklings Challenges over New Years. The beauty about these is there is no time limit so I did another one yesterday. The Challenge was to use Kristina Werner's most recent colour challenge to create a card, scrapbook page, etc. Obviously I didn't get to submit my card before the deadline but the colours were just so fab and stunning I couldn't resist playing anyway.

When I first saw these colours I had a million ideas go through my head. I then decided to use the frog from Unfroggettable (Thanks Merryl for lending me the set) as the colours would look great watercoloured. I didn't really have much thought to it but to water colour the frog but by the end the card took so much shape and actually has alot of meaning to me. My boyfriend gets called "Frog" my his family as a nickname. So I decided that this card would be perfect to give to my handsome "frog" for valentines day! I am so happy with it and actually feel a little organised for a change lol! Anywho enough rambling, Here's my card...

Stamp Sets: Unfroggettable, Short and Sweet, Polka Dot BG

Cardstock: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Watercolour Paper

Ink: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Black Stazon

Accessories: 1/2" circle and word window punches, Rose Red Brads, Aqua Painter, Dimensionals

Also if your bored and looking for something to do over the break (even though for some it's nearly up) check out a new British Comedy i've been watching lately called The IT Crowd. It's about IT nerds that work for a huge company in London. It's very silly humour which I appreciate and the seasons are very short (6 per season) so it's very easy to watch. If you have seen it please let me know also cos I'm a little obsessed and would love someone else to talk to about it!

Anywho thanks for looking.

Happy Stampin'

Dani

I {heart} meal times

On New Years Eve I participated in a challenge night with the Inklings (Demonstrator Group I'm apart of). The first Challenge was to create a Scrapbook page using the Page layout on Page 4 of the SAB catalogue. I have been working on a scarpbook for my boyfriends brother for a while now so decided to scrap some more picks of his beautiful daughter. Here is the page i ended up with

The caption at the top reads "I {heart} meal times" and the journalling in the Tempting Turquoise box says "Asha loves to eat and decorate herself at the same time - Asha's first year 2007"

Stamp Set: Simply Said, Whimsical Lower Alphabet*

Cardstock: Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Certainly Celery, Rose Red

Accesories: Double Rectangle, 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle and Scallop Edge Punches, Dimensionals, Hemp Twine, Turquoise grosgrain Ribbon, White Gel Pen, Ice Rhinestone Brad

Also quick update on my health if your interested. After a few hospital visits and admissions and a thousand tests I have finally been diagnosed with Kidney Stones. They aren't blocking and I have been told to pass them naturally (If you consider that natural). I am still limping around in pain but am happy to have a diagnosis and action plan. Baby is happy and fine!

Thanks for all the get well messages and emails! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a safe New Year! I look forward to all the adventures 2009 will bring for me!

Happy Stampin'

Dani

It's time to Sale-A-Brate

Sale-a-bration (SAB) is back from 1st January - 28th February and Stampin' Up is giving you the rewards. Simply Spend $100 from the IB&C or Summer Mini Catalogue during this time and you qualify for a set from the SAB catalogue for free! If you spend $200 you get 2 free sets and so on!

That's not all! Have a demonstration with me during this period and make $600 (or more) in sales and you can choose another SAB set from the catalogue for free.

Love Stampin' Up and have been thinking about signing up as a demonstrator??? Well now is the best time to do so as if you sign up during Sale-a-bration time Stampin' Up will reward you with a free set of your choice up to $79.95.

If you haven't recieved a copy of the SAB catalogue please contact me today for your free catalogue! Also if you would like to book a workshop or place an order please contact me!

Look forward to Sale-a-brating with you

Dani

My Health and Merry Christmas to all

Hi All,

During the last week and a half my health hasn't been the best. I have been experiencing strong pain down my right side. I have had a multitude of tests and examinations and was also hospitalised on Monday overnight but to no avail. Little Bub is fine and has been happily bouncing around. I am going back to hospital today as I am not satisfied with the diagnosis I have been given as I know there is something more going on.

For this reason I doubt I will be able to post anything more before Christmas so I would like to wish all my readers a very happy, safe and fun filled Christmas. Thank you so much for all your visits, comments and encouragement. I look forward to creating and sharing my creations with you more in 2009.

God Bless and Happy Stampin'
Dani

P.S. For those who wanted to know I got the mini calendars from Educational Experience http://www.edex.com.au/. Prices are Price is $8.90 +GST for 50 (Item X260620) or $5.90 +GST for 25 (Item X042572). Shipping for orders under $100.00 is $12.00, $100.00-$299.00 is $25.00. If you would like to order, you need to quote the Item number, and you can pay by credit card. Email: hotline@edex.com.au Telephone: Tollfree 1300-134 211 Fax: (02) 4942 1991. Hope this helps and happy creating!

Some big news!

If you read yesterday's post I promised to be back with an announcement about why I have been a little slack on my blog. Anyone who has read my blog over the last few weeks or so (Thanks for sticking around) will know that there has been alot going on in my life of late (post related can be found here and here).

I can now safely and confidently reveal to you guys what exactly is going on. But I thought to do so why not have a bit of fun with it so I made a card to reveal to you all my news. Here is is below...

That's right I am having a BABY!! I am 12 weeks pregnant. I am due on the 27th June 2009. Initially this news came as a big shock and wasn't where I planned my life to be at this point. However I believe that God works in the most mysterious ways and this is apart of his plan for me and I'm really excited about embracing this new part of my life.

I am so grateful and blessed to have some of the most supportive people around me at this time who have just assisted me to know safely in my mind that all the decisions and changes I am making in my life are the right ones.

The other really great thing is having Stampin' Up! in my life. I know that I will be able to keep doing my SU! work right into and after my pregnancy and am looking into the new things I will be doing with SU! in the future.

So the next few months I will be still a bit more quieter than usual but this is all for a great and exciting reason. I will be moving within a few months along with everything else. Thank you all for your support and for understanding!

Love Dani :)

Christmas Promotions

I sound like a broken record but I have been very slack and am only putting these promotions up now. I do sincerely apologise. I will be putting up an announcement tomorrow about why I have been so slack. Please tune in tomorrow as it is quiet exciting.

Anyway onto saving you some dosh! For the month of December spend $20 on products and Stampin' Up are so generously taking 20% of a range of products in there "Tying up Christmas" promotion. See list below for more details or contact me (danielle.fender@catholiccare.org) to find out how you can qualify for this fantastic promotion.

Item page Description Regular Price Discount Price
108790 27 Festive Favorites stamp set $45.95 $36.76
108772 28 Crazy for Christmas stamp set $39.95 $31.96
110244 29 Snow Flurries stamp set $20.95 $16.76
108930 43 Tag Time stamp set $53.95 $43.16
108869 111 Many Merry Messages stamp set $64.95 $51.96
103604 133 12" x 12" Days-to-Remember Calendar $20.95 $16.76
104144 133 6" x 6" Days-to-Remember Calendar $18.95 $15.16
109663 138 Winter Bright Simply Scrappin'™ $36.95 $29.56
112670 143 Three for You Punch Box $85.95 $68.76
109055 146 Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon $14.95 $11.96
109050 146 Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon $14.95 $11.96
103372 147 White Square Aluminum Metal Edge tags$7.50 $6.00

To show you just how great this promo is I have made up a make and take using 3 of the discounted products. Snow Flurries - which in my opion is an absolute steal at $16.76 during the promo, The ever so versatile Many merry Messages only $51.96 and my favourite Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon which is only $11.96.



The card I have made is a total case from the Idea Book & Catalogue. Turn to page 36 if you want to see the original. I think the card looks so simple but stunning at the same time and can be made within next to no time.

Stamp Set: Snow Flurries, Many Merry Messages
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Purely Pomegrante, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery, Purely Pomegrante
Accessories: Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Purely Pomegrante Double Stitched ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, 3/4 inch circle punch, dimensionals

Thanks for looking!
Dani

Men!

I don't know about you but I find it very hard to make cards for men. Boys is fine but men I find are very difficult. Even if I had extremly man-ly sets I think I would still have a great difficulty. On the weekend I had 2 cards to make for friends who are having upcoming birthdays. I like both of the cards I made for different reasons but still think that all the cards I make for men are the same and struggle to find different things to put on them. I think I will need to challenge myself more to make more masculine cards.

This first card I orginally started making with the other person in mind but once I was finished I realised it was much more suited to the other person because he has property which has thousands of pine trees on it and it really reminded me of being back on there property.

Stamp Set: Lovely as a Tree

Ink: Old Olive

Cardstock: Old Olive, Choc Chip, Whisper White

Accessories: Dimensionals, Old Olive and Choc Chip Markers

This second card is very simple and very simular to a card I have made for a Kristina Challenge before but I think it has a masuline look to it. I love the colours used and will definatly be using them again. They are a great combo.

Stamp Set: Always*, Occasional Greetings

CardStock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Blue Bayou, Basic Grey

Ink: Certainly Celery, Blue Bayou, Basic Grey

Accessories: The brand new scallop punch from the Summer Mini! LUSHNESS GALORE!

I have also been asked about where I got the mini calendars from 2 posts back. I will be back with some more projects made with them and where I got them from!

Thanks for looking

Dani :)

Flowers in the breeze

Hi all,

I do apologise again about my lack of posting. I have stuff to share but our computer crashed and then life has really got in the way. I will be posting again soon with all the exciting things happening in December!

A few weeks ago the Inklings had a challenge night. Amongst these challenges was a colour challenge based on the colours of the ultra lush Bali Breeze paper. If you haven't seen them PLEASE contact me they are divine! The colours that were set were Old Olive, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie and Taken with Teal. Really bold colours but so nice together. Here is one of the cards I made.

I used the Season of Joy set which is no longer available to purchase! Here's praying it makes into the main catalogue next year because it is such a great set. I also used the Priceless set. To get the leaves I simply stamped the flower image in old olive and then cut out the individual petals and used them as leaves.

Stamp Set: Priceless, Season of Joy*

Card Stock: Whisper White, Taken with teal, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Old Olive, Taken with teal, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Scissors (Big time), Rich Regal Brads, Ice Rhinestone Brads

Thanks for looking!

Happy Stampin'

Dani

Magnet Christmas Calendars

I have been getting busy making and creating more stuff for Christmas including cards, gifts, wrapping paper, bags, etc. I have been making up these super cute Magnetic Calendars using Kaiser Craft wood. They are so simple and quick to make and they are such nice and practical gifts to give to a friend, relative, work colleague, loved one or someone you haven't seen in a while. Here are 2 of the ones I have made recently using Dashing DSP. I have used the same piece of DSP for each just flipped it over to showcase both designs! I have stuck an old fridge magent on the back of them so the calendar can be in the most practical spot in the house! Your fridge!



Here's a close up of each...



The one below I have taken a photo of it whilst it is a magnet on the fridge I got given on the weekend. Such a good pick up I think the lady who gave it to me will be getting more than just one of these!



Stamp Set and Ink: NONE!
Card Stock: Real Red, Old Olive, Dashing DSP
Accessories: Real Red and Old Olive Wide grosgrain, Sanding block, Mini Calendars, Kaiser Craft Wood

Now on a lighter note... While I was taking photo's out the back under the patio where my new fridge is residing temporarily Miss Purdy was watching me. She rarely makes alot of noise but she kept whinging as if to say "don't take photo's look at me I'm cute!" So because of that I got this rather cute photo of her snuggled up looking oh so comfortable! Oh the life of a dog!

Thanks for looking!

Dani

Keesh's Layout Challenge

Hi all,

I'm back from a well deserved break away. Not as long as I would have liked but just some lovely down time. I arrived home to check out what has been happening in blog world only to find a new challenge by Makeesha Byl. If you haven't checked out this women's work please go have a look tell her I sent you! She really is a talent! This week she has posted a layout challenge that I just had to get my hands on. So I sacrificed my nanna nap to give it a whirl and here's one of the things I came up with...



Stamp Sets: Polka Dot BG, Season of Joy
Cardstock: Old Olive, Whisper White, Purely Pomegrante
Ink: Old Olive, Purely Pomegrante, Versamark
Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, Mat Pack, Dimensionals

I also started on a scrapbook page which I wasn't quite happy with so I'm going to let it settle overnight and see if I come up with anything else amazing tomorrow...

Happy Stampin'
Dani

Happy Anniversary Hunny

I got my camera back! Which means I can share with you something I made this week! Mine and my boyfriends anniversary was on Wednesday so to celebrate I made him a card. He loves landscapes and sunsets so I made him this beautiful Michelle Zindorf inspired card which he loved.

I stamped the Lovely as a tree image in versamark onto glossy white cardstock and then embossed in black powder and then sponged colour on in a range of colours. It looks really stunning.



Stamp Set: Lovely as a tree
Cardstock: White Glossy Cardstock, Basic Black, Mellow Moss
Ink: Versamark, Yoyo Yellow, Blush Blossom, Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Black embossing powder, Black Brads, Sponges

Happy Stampin'
Dani